A recently concluded study conducted by University of East Anglia in Norwich, England’s Dr. Aedin Cassidy discovered that a compound commonly found in citrus fruits the likes of grapefruits and oranges (among others) may lower risk of ischemic strokes occurring in women.

The said compound is called flavanone, one of the frequently ingested flavanoids that have, at one point or another, been attributed with various effects such as decreasing the risk of stroke, hypertension, and other related cardio-vascular diseases.

Dr. Cassidy’s findings are based on a study conducted by the Nurses’ Health Study on approximately 70,000 adult women over a 14-year period. Among those who participated in the study, researchers took note of 1,803 stroke cases, 943 of which were ischemic, 607 of an unknown type, and 253 of the hemorrhagic kind. However, women in the same group that were found to have a much higher intake of flavanone derived from citrus fruits and juices such as grapefruits and oranges were deemed to be at 19% lesser risk for the incidence of an ischemic stroke.

Although this may be the case, Harvard Medical School researcher Dr. Kathryn M. Rexrode cautions that while there is some supporting data of the fact, prescribing or taking flavanone-based supplements may be premature, as grapefruit and its derivatives have likewise been found to counter-act medications that are prescribed for cardio-vascular diseases.

As such, American Heart Association and Pennsylvania State University professor Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton says that if there is anything that the study conclusively shows is that a diet with substantial amounts and varieties of fruits and vegetables are definitely beneficial to one’s health, and to a certain extent, wards off cardio-vascular diseases such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes.

Research Liason Officer Dr. Sharlin Ahmed of The Stroke Association concurs, but reminds both men and women to not focus on fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C alone, as a balanced diet is ultimately one of the key factors in maintaining one’s health.